THE heart of the defending champion.
San Beda rallied back from 13 points down, forged overtime, and subdued Mapua, 76-69, in a heated NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Yukien Andrada rose to the occasion for the Red Lions in the extra period, hitting five straight points and none more important than the booming three he nailed entering the final two minutes to give them the lead for good, 71-69.
The San Beda team captain had 18 points and nine rebounds in the win that replicated the Red Lions’ triumph over the same Mapua side in last year’s championship series.
Andrada was 1-of-7 before knocking down the game-changing shot from deep.
“Tiwala lang ako sa tira ko. Sabi nga nila coach (Yuri Escueta), huwag akong mag-madali, darating din yan, papasok din yan,” said the brother of former PBA player Yutien Andrada of that telling three pointer.
Despite the struggles of Andrada, Escueta still trusted the veteran big man.
“Alam naman natin si Yuki, whether he misses shots or he makes them, he’s still going to shoot them,” said the champion coach. “And he knows he has the green light from us as long as he catches the ball right and balanced siya.”
San Beda Rising
The defending champions improved to a 6-3 record and forged a three-way tie for second place along with Letran and the Cardinals.
The Cardinals led by as much as 37-24 late in the first half, but not long after, the Red Lions knotted the count at 53-all heading into the final quarter.
Penny Estacio then sent the game into overtime after a breakdown in Mapua defense allowed the guard formerly of De La Salle to freely drive into the basket for a 66-66 count.
A three pointer by Mark Cuenco gave the Cardinals their final taste of the lead, 69-68, before Andrada took charge for the Red Lions.
The victory wasn’t an easy one, said Escueta, a deputy coach of Chot Reyes at TNT.
“I was telling my players (before the game) what to expect para mentally they are tough, they are mentally smart,” Escueta added.
James Payosing had 15 points and Bryan Sajonia with 10, including the jumper with 13 seconds to play that sealed the San Beda win.
Cuenco led Mapua with 20 points on 5-of-8 shooting from three-point range, while reigning MVP Clint Escamis added 19 but was scoreless in the final five minutes of the fourth and in overtime play.
The scores
San Beda 76 -- Andrada 18, Payosing 15, Sajonia 10, Estacio 9, Gonzales 6, Puno 6, Lina 5, Tagle 3, Celzo 2, Royo 2, Calimag 0.
Mapua 69 -- Cuenco 20, Escamis 19, Concepcion 9, Mangubat 6, Hubilla 6, Bancale 5, Igliane 2, Jabonete 2, Ryan 0, Fermin 0.
Quarters: 19-16; 30-38; 53-53; 66-66 (reg.); 76-69 (OT)
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